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'If someone goes out and gets drunk, it is their own responsibility to
find their way home. There is nothing in the scheme to guarantee that
people getting free taxi rides would not have been prepared to pay for
one to get home anyway.'

Even Watton town councillor Alf Harvey, 75, a retired butcher, admitted
he was not convinced the scheme would work. 'It might actually
encourage youngsters to go out and get drunk, knowing that they will be
able to get a free ride home,' he said. But he agreed to the trial and
said 'we will see what happens'.

Sergeant Lance Ogbourne, from Norfolk Police's Safer Neighbourhood Team
for Watton, which came up with the idea, said: 'This will remove many
of the stragglers left over from the pub. These people would not
normally take a taxi. They would normally walk.

'It is these people who are susceptible to incidents of crime and can cause criminal damage.'

The town council has agreed to hand over a &pound;350 grant to
cover some journeys and Norfolk Police said it was looking for other
firms or organisations willing to sponsor the scheme.

However, the force was unable to confirm what the total cost of the trial would be.

A local taxi firm has agreed to take part and will charge 25 per cent less than its standard fares.

Stan Edward, 64, who runs Ann's Cars, said the firm would provide 'as
many cars as it needs to make the scheme work' between 11.30pm and 2am
at weekends.

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